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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Proposed legislation to study the health implications on residents in East Palestine and other impacted communities following last year's Norfolk Southern train derailment passed through the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, U.S. Sen. J.D Vance (R-OH) announced Friday.
The East Palestine Health Impact Monitoring Act is intended to establish "a comprehensive long-term study on the public health impacts from the Norfolk Southern train derailment" and also "direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants, contracts, and/or cooperative agreements to universities and research institutions in the region to conduct the voluntary health study, which would utilize the expertise of epidemiologists, toxicologists, cancer researchers, neurologists, and others to provide participants with annual progress reports, a comprehensive final report within five years, and healthcare recommendations when appropriate."
The bill was met with bipartisan support in the Senate.
"Families in East Palestine deserve to understand the long-term health implications of the Norfolk Southern train derailment," said Vance. "This legislation will empower trusted and respected research institutions to give residents the answers they deserve."
President Joe Biden announced six NIH (National Institute of Health) grants during his visit to the village in February. The grants were awarded to research universities to study the short- and long-term effects of the derailment. Vance and fellow Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) have called on more action to address the effects the chemicals released in the rail disaster may have already had or may have in the future on public health.
Representatives Dave Joyce (R-OH) and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) have introduced companion legislation to the Senate's The East Palestine Health Impact Monitoring Act in the House.
"Over a year ago, the lives of residents in East Palestine, Ohio and the surrounding areas were turned upside down following the derailment of a train carrying thousands of gallons of toxic chemicals," said Joyce. "As many residents are still concerned about the potential for long-term health impacts, this bipartisan legislation will help ensure proper research is done through HHS to identify any harmful effects now and in the future."
Kaptur said understanding and addressing those health concerns left in the wake of the derailment are paramount to putting the communities back together.
"More than one year later, as the people of East Palestine, Ohio and the surrounding communities continue to recover from the Norfolk Southern train derailment, and subsequent venting and burning of toxic chemicals, it is imperative that we continue to monitor the human health impacts," said Kaptur. "We have a responsibility and duty to address the community's concerns."